Sharp Rise Reported in ER Cases Linked to Opioid Painkiller Tramadol

Emergency rooms across the country reported a large increase in the number of visits related to the opioid painkiller tramadol between 2005 and 2011, HealthDay reports. Tramadol is the active ingredient in a number of brand-name drugs, including Ultram, Ultracet, Conzip and Ryzolt.

Tramadol-related ER visits increased 145 percent, from almost 11,000 visits in 2005 to more than 27,000 visits in 2011, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The increase among females was higher than among males, the article notes. Adults 55 and older had the largest increase in ER visits associated with tramadol.

Tramadol is generally used for moderate, severe or chronic pain. Adverse reactions can include seizures and a potentially fatal reaction known as serotonin syndrome, according to SAMHSA. The drug can also be dangerous if it is combined with anti-anxiety medications, alcohol or other narcotic painkillers.

“Tramadol and other pain relievers can help to alleviate pain, but they must be used carefully and in close consultation with a physician,” SAMHSA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz said in an agency news release. “Simple steps such as following directions for use, letting your doctor know if you are experiencing a problem, locking up medications for safe storage, and proper disposal of unused medications are easy steps people can take to help reduce potential harm to themselves and others,” she said.